Questions about using Optimum Products

T

tuffcalc

New member
Hi,



I have just started to use Optimum Car Wax and really like it so far. It's cut down my waxing time considerably - and I can now rotate OCW into my weekly washes. I do have a few questions about how to best use optimum products:



1. I have access to a hose and prefer "regular" style washing. I just purchased Optimum No Rinse Wash & Wax (the soap/wax combo sold me on it). Can I use the No Rinse formula just as I would use my "regular" soap (I currently use Zaino Show Car Wash). That would mean: (i) rinse off entire car with hose; (ii) wash car using no rinse wash & wax and microfiber towels or mits; (iii) rinse off car with hose; (iv) dry car with microfibre towels?



2. As a follow-up question above, am I better just using Optimum Car Wash as opposed to the no-rinse version (e.g., there is no real benefit of the no rinse version based on how I am cleaning my car)?



3. When drying the car, can I spray each panel with OCW and then dry? Right now I am drying first then going over the dry panels with OCW. I would like to combine these steps if possible (it will save me about 10 minutes on two cars).



4. What is the purpose of Optimum Instant Detailer? I purchased it with a bundle but don't really see how it would be any more useful than OCW?



5. What is the purpose of Opti-Seal? I've purchased this as well but don't know why I would use it instead of OCW?



6. Any other tips to speed up my wash / dry / wax weekly routine?



Thanks!
 
1. You could, but you'd be wasting money

2. Yes, just use the regular stuff if you like it. Its a good soap but not amazing.

3. Yep, though most of use dry the car normally and the final drying pass add OCW when the car is nearly dry. This method works best with a leaf blower, knock off most of the water and then dry off with OCW.

4. It is slicker than OCW and has much sharper reflections and more wow factor. OCW is geared to look like a traditional wax.

5. Lasts twice as long as OCW, looks like you poured glass over the surface of the car. Very different look.

6. Garry Dean wash method. Wash, dry and wax a car in under 20 minutes.
 
1. Once you use ONR a few times and get the hang of it (and get over any fears you might have about using it) you won't want to use a hose again unless its absolutely necessary.



2. There are huge benefits to using ONR over regular car wash soaps (although Optimum's car wash soap is an excellent product) like less time, less water, no problems with water spots, less chance of drying streaks and ONR will leave your paint slicker and more glossy than regular car wash soaps.



3. You can add an ounce of OCW to the ONR bucket and basically wash and wax at the same time.



4. Its a pretty good spray detailer, so the advantage is has over OCW is that you can use it on lightly soiled surfaces since it will clean and add gloss and slickness.



5. Opti-Seal is a sealant and offers better protection and durability than OCW. It has a wetter look to me, OCW has more depth. Most people would use Opti-Seal first to lay down a good layer of protection and then maintain the look with OCW.



6. Embrace ONR, save the hose for spraying mud or salt off your car.
 
Scottwax said:
4. Its a pretty good spray detailer, so the advantage is has over OCW is that you can use it on lightly soiled surfaces since it will clean and add gloss and slickness.
Click to expand...



Does it have the same longevity as OCW (i'm thinking in terms of using it as a drying agent - based on your comments I can completely cut out the OCW step if I add an ounce to my wash bucket... and possibly get even greater looks and protection if I add the spray detailer to my drying step. I guess I'm trying to figure out if I even need the quick detailer as part of my arsenal ... of if I can just use OCW as the drying agent).



Scottwax said:
6. Embrace ONR, save the hose for spraying mud or salt off your car.
Click to expand...



Will I benefit if I spray the car down PRE-ONR (as I do now using regular soaps)? E.g., just skipping the final rinse step? I'm still paranoid about going at my dirty car without a pre-rinse first.



Thanks for everyone's comments so far!
 
tuffcalc said:
Does it have the same longevity as OCW (i'm thinking in terms of using it as a drying agent - based on your comments I can completely cut out the OCW step if I add an ounce to my wash bucket... and possibly get even greater looks and protection if I add the spray detailer to my drying step. I guess I'm trying to figure out if I even need the quick detailer as part of my arsenal ... of if I can just use OCW as the drying agent).
Click to expand...



No, its a detail spray. No real longevity, no real protection. Just there to add gloss and shine after washing. However, the newest version of ONR (which is what you should have) adds enough gloss and shine from just washing that IMO, any detail spray is no longer needed. You can make up a spray bottle with 1 oz ONR to 32 oz water to make your own QD, clay lube and glass cleaner all in one.



Optimum recently released a version of ONR with wax in it, works very well. Wouldn't expect it to protect as long or as well as a traditional wax or sealant but it does give you a nice boost from wash to wash.



Will I benefit if I spray the car down PRE-ONR (as I do now using regular soaps)? E.g., just skipping the final rinse step? I'm still paranoid about going at my dirty car without a pre-rinse first.



Thanks for everyone's comments so far!
Click to expand...



I may run across 1 car a year I have to pre-rinse. No need to pre-rinse 99% of the time. Once you use it a few times and see how fast the dirt just seems to disappear, then see how nice the paint looks after using, you'll understand exactly what I mean.
 
Scottwax said:
No, its a detail spray. No real longevity, no real protection. Just there to add gloss and shine after washing. However, the newest version of ONR (which is what you should have) adds enough gloss and shine from just washing that IMO, any detail spray is no longer needed. You can make up a spray bottle with 1 oz ONR to 32 oz water to make your own QD, clay lube and glass cleaner all in one.



Optimum recently released a version of ONR with wax in it, works very well. Wouldn't expect it to protect as long or as well as a traditional wax or sealant but it does give you a nice boost from wash to wash.







I may run across 1 car a year I have to pre-rinse. No need to pre-rinse 99% of the time. Once you use it a few times and see how fast the dirt just seems to disappear, then see how nice the paint looks after using, you'll understand exactly what I mean.
Click to expand...



Thanks for your replies - very much appreciated!
 
Scottwax is dead on.



I'm a mobile detailer and I almost exclusively do ONR washes as well. They are just easier, and the outcome is just amazing. I have had many people come out and ask me how I waxed their car so quickly just because of the looks that ONR gives after a wash. Once you try it, you will never go back. I have a gallon of Chemical Guys Citrus Wash I use to help strip LSP's if I'm doing Opti-Coat, but other than that unless the vehicle is EXTREMELY dirty, almost muddy, I do ONR washes. It is just that good of a product.
 
A little update. I used Optimum No Rinse Wash & Wax this weekend.



Steps were as follows:



1. Rinse off car with hose.

2. Wash car with ONR+Wax with Microfiber Sponge (I have the Opti-mit as well but I find it hard to use) .

3. SKIPPED the traditional rinse step.

4. Sprayed each panel with OCW before wiping dry.



Seems to have worked great. I've been able to cut out one step (wax) by wiping dry and waxing at the same time. Hopefully the OCW is actually "catching" after spraying it on a just washed with ONR panel.



Very happy - I felt like my car owned me when using the Zaino system. These optimum spray products have cut my wash down to less than 20 minutes.



Thanks everyone for all the advice.
 
I ran into a funny story this week with ONRWW. I did a job for a customer and told him I'd give him some ONRWW to make his own QD spray. He was at work and didn't have a spray bottle so he took a bottle of drinking water and poured some out, making room for a couple of capfuls of ONRWW. (Which I poured into the water bottle)



He had commented how awesome both ONR and ONRWW smelled earlier. I had even said that if I had small children I'd keep it under lock and key, for fear that they might drink it!



So we were talking about cars (what else), and without thinking (while holding the water bottle, that smelled so freaking awesome) he put it up to his mouth and took a big swig!:hurt: Needless to say he instantly turned into a spitting fool. :p
 
I drive almost daily on gravel roads...lots of dust. When weather permits, I do a pre-rinse before using ONR. If I am dealing with major crud/mud, I do a quick pre-wash on the sides of my truck using a regular car wash shampoo and boars hair brush followed by a rinse and then do an ONR wash. I like using ONR because I can use in in the shade/warmth/comfort of my garage.
 
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